Welcome back to another Wellness Wednesday.
Usually, when we talk about leveling up, we’re talking about character sheets, campaign milestones, or hitting the next big word count on a manuscript. But today, I want to talk about the physical hardware that runs the software: your body and your mind.
It’s incredibly easy to get lost in the grind. Between late-night writing sessions, managing a brand, and handling day-to-day responsibilities, physical wellness is often the first thing that gets pushed to the back burner. But treating your physical health as an optional side quest is a quick route to burnout.
Here is how I approach wellness, not just as a fitness goal, but as a mandatory foundation for everything else.
The Physical Grind: Consistency Over Motivation
People often ask how to stay motivated to work out. The hard truth? Motivation is a fleeting buff. It runs out. What gets you results is discipline and consistency.
You don’t have to spend three hours in the gym every single day, but you do have to show up. Whether it’s lifting, cardio, or just getting your body moving after being hunched over a keyboard for hours, the goal is to make it a non-negotiable part of your routine.
- Find your baseline: What is the minimum viable workout you can commit to on your worst days?
- Track your progress: Just like watching your stats grow in a game, seeing your lifts go up or your endurance increase is the best way to build momentum.
- Fuel the machine: You can’t out-train a terrible diet. Hydration and protein are your best health potions.
The Mental Rest: Protecting the Creative Engine
Physical exhaustion is one thing; mental fatigue is another beast entirely. As a creative, your brain is your primary tool. If you are constantly redlining your mental RPMs without taking a moment to step back, your work will suffer.
Wellness isn’t just about picking up heavy things and putting them back down. It is also about giving yourself permission to unplug. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do for your current project is to close the laptop, put your phone in another room, and let your mind wander.
Rolling for Constitution
At the end of the day, building your physical and mental endurance makes every other challenge easier. A stronger constitution means more energy for writing, more focus for your daily tasks, and a better baseline mood.
It’s an ongoing campaign, and there is no final boss—just continuous improvement.
How are you leveling up your wellness this week? Let me know in the comments below!
-Zachary Starr
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